August gripped the door handle, poised to slam it, only Sam was standing in the way. Asking questions. Shouldn't she be afraid for her life? Shouldn't she do as she's told with her head down and her mouth shut, as anyone with half a brain would do when faced with his heartless reputation? He set his jaw, and anger flared just for a moment. No, she wouldn't understand. That was the point.

He took a long breath, and he glanced back toward the room where the Princess was kept. A shadow of a snarl crossed his face, and he glowered at Sam.

"There's very little nowadays that the queen doesn't know," he hissed sourly. "You're an anomaly." He was giving her that curious look again, guardedly thoughtful -- but he shut it down again, and his eyes were cold. "The minute the queen knows you exist she'll have you executed. She'll have me execute you," he clarified, distinctly. "And I will have you kneel, and I will make a clean cut of your head from your shoulders in front of her," he moved slightly closer, his voice low, "[i]if[/i] you don't do as I say."

He stepped back again, paused a moment, and held the handle of a hunting knife out to her. He watched her carefully, wondering whether she really would use it against him. "Don't let anyone in but me."